Gonna lose mom to lung cancer

[pelinkovac]

I'm sorry for your loss

[Det_Kimble]

That sucks dude. As many others said, stay strong.

[KNN]

Hospice does amazing things, honestly they really did maximize the last few days I had with my grandmother. They made her comfortable enough to the point that she helped finish off a puzzle with me, as cheesy as that seems it's something that I'll never forget.

[Spawned_Fighter]

sorry to hear that. thanks for sharing with us

[FallenXAngel]

Thats horrible man. I hope you and your family are alright and that she isn't in too much pain.

I have to ask, is it still very hard to deal with...even though she is older and has lived a full life? I only ask because within the past year and a half I almost lost both of my parents, mom to a heart attack, and dad to a nervous system shut-down of sorts (very long and weird story)...in any case, I am 22 and they are still fairly young (mid and late 40's), and it was probably the most difficult thing I've ever had to deal with. I would imagine it still hurts you now, but I guess what I'm asking is whether or not you think it hurts just as much now as it would have 20-30 years ago, or if you are more equipped/ready to deal with it now?

[mbinder]

I'm very sorry to hear about this.

My grandma died about 7 years ago in Hospice. Even though though she was my mom's mom, she was as much a mother to me as my mom was. She was a huge part of my life... for the last part of her life she was always in and out of hospitals for various things... she spent a long spell living in our dining room which we converted into a hospital room basically. When she finally got terminally ill, it was really hard. But I know that she died happy and without worries, largely in part to how she was cared for and treated at Hospice. I never had heard about any religious agendas or anything... I just know that they are good people and do good things.

Again, I'm sorry about your loss... try and keep your chin up.

[Baseline]

Hope you try to look on the upside that 81 is a good amount of years to live.

Good luck man.

[Marvin Covar]

Treasure the time you have with her. Make some worthwhile memories.

[Nihilistic]

Originally Posted by NeuroNerd

Mom was admitted into home hospice care last Sunday. She was diagnosed in the hospital with Small Cell Lung Cancer. All we really know is she has a very large mass pressing against her lung. She refused a PET and additional CAT scan in order to see if it ****stisized. But it's the docs opinion that it is certainly in her brain because of her confusion.

Home hospice is wonderful. I can't complain at all about the workers. they are caring and compassionate and imo, deserve a special place in heaven. The entire process however is very draining on me.

On Wednesday when the nurse came, she told us mom was "actively dying". She had mottling in her legs and arms. Her hands and feet were like ice. Her toes were blue and her fingers were turning blue. She was hallucinating. She was having 10-15 second apneas and her breathing was very labored, then at night it was very shallow. We were convinced wednesday night was going to be her last because of all the signs. I'll make another thread about the process and euthenasia on another day.

Lo and behold, thursday was the best day she's had in months. She woke up and was bright eyed and bushy tailed all day. She ate well, she was funny, very lucid, and was breathing very well. It was extremely bizarre. I was freaking out a little, cause it does give you a false sense of hope that a miracle is happening.

Today is much of the same. She is very lucid, calm, funny, having a great time. I was a wreck seeing my mother struggle for air and not having the breath to talk, now I'm seeing her talk about getting better and walking around a bit.

Because of these unexpected days with her which were joyful, I think I can let go feeling very good. It's been a real treasure and I know she is much more comfortable than she was a few days prior. Its just hard, because maybe next time she gets bad, I'll hold out a false hope that she might get better. I'm just an emotional wreck right now.

Has anyone experienced hospice with someone?

Thankfully I have never had to experience this. However it sounds like your mom is making sure you remember her in a good way. Takes a strong person to battle back from deaths door to instill hope love and compassion into the lives of others. Best wishes for you and your family. Your mom sounds like a very strong woman.

[IronMaidenfan#1]

I'm very sorry to hear that.